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Maldives Adventure Cruise

On this holiday, we cruise among the remote atolls of the idyllic Maldives, aboard a traditional dhoni. We eat and sleep aboard the boat as we sail between the unspoilt palm-fringed tropical islands of South Male, Felidhoo and Meemu. Along our way, we visit small fishing village communities and stop to swim or snorkel at beautiful coral reefs.

Tour Highlights

Seven-day cruise - Relax on board a traditional dhoni boat, with all meals included and freshly prepared by the boat crew

Itinerary

1

Join tour in Male; cruise to the South Male Atoll

Joining this tour at Male International Airport on Hulhule Island, our flight arrival is an experience in itself - the runway takes up the length of the island, with the terminal buildings taking up the remainder of the land space. After meeting up with our Explore representative and the rest of the group, we walk to the waterfront to meet our moored dhoni and crew. Having settled into our cabins, we aim to slip the lines and depart by mid-afternoon. Cruising south for two to three hours, we pass through the Vaadhoo Canal to the South Male Atoll - a smaller and quieter neighbour to the more developed North Male Atoll. Here, many of the islands are inhabited simply by vegetation and white sand, surrounded by clear turquoise water and reef. Our night stop may vary, but is most likely to be at Guraidhoo - a small, inhabited island where we will moor in, or just outside, the harbour. Every meal is included on the dhoni and this evening we settle down to our first dinner together. Menus are likely to include freshly-caught fish each day, as well curries and pasta. Drinking water, tea and coffee are readily available, with alcoholic and soft drinks available for purchase on-board. Our cabins are compact, but with plenty of room for two people and luggage. However, many customers choose to enjoy the tranquillity of sleeping under the stars on deck for at least some of the nights.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Lunch, Dinner

2

Sail to Vavuu Atoll and explore Kuda Anbaraa Island

Heading south today, we cruise to the Vavuu Atoll, where we spend time exploring the uninhabited and picturesque islands of Kudiboli and Kuda Anbaraa. When exploring this and other islands in the itinerary, it isn't necessary to bring special footwear. Most customers seem to manage well in flip-flops, and these have the obvious advantage of being quick to get on and off - ideal for walking through sand. Our afternoon is spent snorkelling or relaxing on board. Over the course of the week, underwater fauna we are likely to see include green turtles, reef sharks and gigantic manta rays, as well as smaller sting rays and eagle rays. At each stop, we will also swim among a rainbow of small, colourful fish, including the famous Clown Fish. Our knowledgeable Explore representative will be able to help identify many of the underwater species that we come across.
Today, and each day, afternoon tea with freshly baked cake will be served by our talented chef. Tonight, we anchor in a large lagoon, providing further swimming opportunities.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3

Snorkel in the clear waters of the Meemu Atoll

Today we sail south for a further two to three hours, crossing to Meemu Atoll - home to one of the longest stretches of reef in the Maldives. On this or other crossings, we may be lucky enough to be chased by spinner dolphins, who like jumping in our wake. We are also likely to see flying fish, sometimes leaping right over the deck of our dhoni. Meemu Atoll is made up of 34 islands, of which 25 are uninhabited. Some of the inhabited ones grow yams, and all of them are largely dependent on fishing. Here more than anywhere, we are likely to experience the true Maldivian way of life. Shortly after entering the atoll, we arrive at Fenboa Finolhu - another beautiful uninhabited island where we aim to base ourselves for the night. We will have plenty of time to enjoy the white-sand beach and to snorkel on the reef. This evening, we can look forward to a barbeque beach banquet in an idyllic spot on the island, laid on by the dhoni crew.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

Cruise to Dhiggaru Island for a Bodu Beru display

After a relaxed start, we head east to the inhabited island of Dhiggaru. Here, we drop our anchor by a particularly good snorkelling reef. Later in the afternoon, when it has cooled down a bit, we plan to go ashore to meet the island's inhabitants. We may be struck by the traditional, yet relaxed, way of life in the island's lively village. Very few tourist groups visit and we must remember to dress and act respectfully, removing our shoes when visiting a house or a mosque. In the evening, we hope to be invited to a performance of Bodu Beru (Big Drum) - the traditional folk music of the country.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5

Visit the traditional village of Felidhoo

Today, we head back to Felidhoo Atoll and its administrative centre, Felidhoo. With a population of about 400, this is the least populated of all the country's administrative centres. Again, we take time to visit the village and have the opportunity to enjoy another Bodu Beru performance.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

Discover Hulhidhoo reef before sailing to Fulidhoo

By now, we are likely to be feeling completely relaxed, as our routine of reading, sunbathing and napping between island stops and snorkelling spots has become second nature. With a subtly different name to our previous day's stop-off, we break today's journey with a visit to Fulidhoo Island. Once again, we meet the locals and gain more of an appreciation of their life in this tropical paradise. After a further visit to the island of Hulhidhoo, we anchor by a large reef, where we can spend time snorkelling.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Sail to Male stopping to snorkel at Embudhoo Reef

Our last full day on the boat sees us cruising back towards Male. We take the opportunity for some final snorkelling and swimming, before enjoying a farewell meal with our boat crew.

Overnight: Simple Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8

Tour ends in Male

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Once we have said our goodbyes to the crew, we disembark the dhoni and are transferred to Male International Airport.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Maldive Dhoni Cruise tour available at present.